Rob Ford looms large over first mayoral face off since his departure to rehab

Rob Ford may be in rehab, but his presence still loomed over the first mayoral face off since his departure from the campaign, as Karen Stintz lay claim to portions of his track record and other candidates took shots at his “nightmare” tenure and called for a fresh start for the city.

One of his sharpest critics throughout the night, Ms. Stintz did laud Mr. Ford for delivering on his promises, such as outsourcing garbage pick up and cancelling the car registration tax, which she claimed as successes of her own as well, while vowing to stay on the ballot until the end.

“There’s a question that’s on everyone’s mind and I know what the question is: why on Earth am I staying in the race when I’m at 5%,” she told a packed city hall board room Monday. “[People ask] how do you differentiate yourself from Mr. Tory, why don’t you just go join John Tory’s race? And I’ll tell you why… I have something different to offer this city and it’s called decision making.”

The event, hosted by the National Ethnic Press and Media Council of Canada, was open to any mayoral candidate who wanted to participate. All four remaining major challengers — Olivia Chow, John Tory, David Soknacki and Ms. Stintz — accepted the invitation, along with Sarah Thomson, Morgan Baskin, Dewitt Lee, Michael Nicula, and Erwin Sneidzins.

Participants fielded questions from reporters about how to improve neighbourhoods, transit, accountability, transparency and Rob Ford, who last month took a leave of absence to seek treatment for substance abuse. It’s not clear when or if he will return to the race.

The event’s format, that of a round table, did not allow for sparring between candidates, although they took digs when they could.

Ms. Chow, for example, repeatedly questioned whether Mr. Tory would “really” build the Yonge Street Relief Line, as he has committed. She said Toronto is in need of “renewal” after “one of the strangest episodes of municipal government in the history of the city.”

Mr. Tory, who apologized for arriving about 40 minutes late because he was hosting a program on Newstalk 1010 — something all the major candidates will get to do — said building a relief line “as soon as possible” remains a priority for him and blasted big city projects routinely going over budget.

Mr. Soknacki continued to frame the Scarborough subway as a waste of $1-billion and said “nothing is guaranteed to increase fares more or put a greater burden on property taxpayers than a subway that is not necessary.”

To a question about Rob Ford and his popularity, Mr. Soknacki said he believed the city has moved past the “nightmare” of the last four years.

Ms. Stintz, however, said that if Rob Ford hadn’t gotten himself into “trouble” he “would probably easily get re-elected” despite his “obvious homophobic issues, his misogynistic comments, the fact that he is a bigot and he does routinely lie.”

Asked about the police practice of carding, Mr. Tory said he is glad the service is reviewing its policy, Ms. Chow said she didn’t think carding is helpful and Ms. Stintz said there are better ways to build relationships with the community than randomly asking people for identification.

For the lower profile candidates, Monday was a chance to talk to their widest audience yet.

“I am the new Rob Ford. Better educated. More competent. Fitter,” said Michael Nicula, who kept telling the audience to “read my lips” and trust him because he’s an accountant.

Sarah Thomson said Toronto needs politicians with “the balls to say look it’s time we put tolls on the DVP and the Gardiner” to pay for transit expansion.

Morgan Baskin, an eloquent 18-year-old, said she is not in the race “as a joke” but to raise the profile of youth issues. She was the only candidate who refused to give Mr. Ford free airtime when asked a question from the media. “I’m here because youth matter and I’m not going to comment on Rob Ford. You can look up why he won,” she said.

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